054 Peanuts; Talking to Family about GMO

The peanut is a valuable crop for American farmers and is extensively cultivated worldwide. It is an important source of protein and healthy oils. At the same time the public is concerned about peanut allergies and aflatoxins. What is the reality, and how is technology coming to the rescue to address these problems? Dr. Peggy Ozias-Akins is a Professor and peanut expert at the University of Georgia’s Tifton campus, and she talks about past and contemporary issues in peanuts. In the second part of the podcast I talk about communicating concepts in genetic engineering with family and friends. How do we reach people we care about that have been tainted by non-scientific opinions? We can do that, but it takes following a strategy.

Communication About Innovation

The safe and powerful technologies of genetic engineering have had tremendous impacts in agriculture and medicine. However, future innovation and deployment of beneficial technologies are slowed by a lack of understanding. The point of this podcast is to help connect the public to current science and technology, and let scientists tell the stories of how science can help our farmers, industrialized world consumers, the environment, and the Developing World. The hope is that this resource can entertain and explain how new tools can improve food security, reduce poverty, and improve agricultural and medical practices.

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Disclaimer

The content of the website and podcasts are the personal views of Kevin M. Folta and his guests, and may not represent the positions of the University of Florida or the Horticultural Sciences Department, including their employees, faculty and students.